Donald Anthony Deinlein, devoted family man and distinguished orthopaedic surgeon, died suddenly on January 6, 2019 while visiting Oakland, CA. Born on September 9, 1937 in Baltimore, MD to Anthony and Marie McQuaid Deinlein, Don went to Mount Saint Joseph High School. He received an athletic scholarship to attend Loyola University where he was awarded the Mohler Trophy as the Leading Scholar-Athlete. After deciding against a baseball career, he earned a medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. After interning at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore, he served as a flight surgeon in the United States Navy and as Physician to the Naval War College in Newport, RI. Following his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Don spent the next 32 years in private practice during which time he also served as Chief of Orthopedics at Baptist Montclair Hospital and at Trinity Medical Center. He also treated patients at the Crippled Children’s Clinic for Spina Bifida and Cerebral Palsy. Dr. Deinlein left private practice in 2007 and became an Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham before joining Southlake Orthopaedics in 2017.
During his career, Dr. Deinlein served as President of the Jefferson County Orthopaedic Society, President of the Alabama Orthopaedic Society, and on the Board of Councilors for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons for 6 years. He was also an active member of the Scoliosis Research Society and the North American Spine Society.
Don was not one to sit still for long. His many passions included flying, sailing, golf, playing the drums, and cheering on the University of Alabama’s football team. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Phyllis; son Donald Anthony (Ellan) Deinlein, Jr. of Birmingham, AL; daughter Mary Lauren (Bob Reitsma) Deinlein of Silver Spring, MD; daughter Kristin Marie Deinlein of Orange Beach, AL; and sister Joan (Carlos) Tornes of Santa Barbara, CA. He was the proud grandfather to Silas McQuaid Reitsma, Sadie Carrigan Reitsma, Michael Gabriel Deinlein and Sophie Elizabeth Deinlein. He is predeceased by son Michael Patrick Deinlein.
Don will be lovingly remembered by his family, friends, patients and colleagues for his compassion, patience, sense of humor and generosity. A memorial service will be held at Saint Francis Xavier Church in Birmingham, AL on Saturday, January 26, with a visitation beginning at 10:00 am followed by a funeral mass at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Saint Francis Xavier School, Children’s Hospital of Alabama, or a charity of your choice.
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